introduction

As more and more time has elapsed since the D-Day invasion in 1944, we have come to understand how supply made the difference in the fight with the Axis. While every Nazi tank or truck destroyed was a net loss, the Allies simply replaced tanks, trucks, jeeps and aircraft with a constant flow of new materiel. Even when the Germans destroyed the port of Cherbourg, the Allies simply brought along three man-made ports (called Mulberrys).

Insuring that all the equipment got to the right units was a herculean task in its own right, one made easier by the use of things like shipping stencils. Designed to organize the thousands of vehicles sent across the Channel, these stencils were ubiquitous on vehicles deployed in the Normandy campaign.

Archer Fine Transfers already has six sets of D-Day shipping stencils in dry transfer format (three yellow and three white each). Now they are releasing waterslide decal versions in their Archer Fine Transfers value line.

contents

Inside the usual Archer Fine Transfers baggie with the stapled tag on top is a sheet of stencils for six specific vehicles (large & small versions), as well as 17 generic stencils.

the review

The decals are, as usual, beautifully-printed by Cartograf. The vehicles covered specifically are:

Chafee Light Tank (3 large stencils; 4 small one)
Stuart Light Tank (3 large stencils; 4 small)
M18 Tank Destroyer (2 large stencils; 2 small)
M2, M3 & M4 Halftracks (2 large stencils; 2 small)
M7 Priest (2 large stencils; 2 small)
Pershing Heavy Tank (2 large; 2 small)

Additionally there are 17 generic stencils.

Archer Fine Transfer waterslide decals go on extremely well, and these should be no exception. Applying the stencil will require a little detective work, either to find a photograph with the correct positioning for your vehicle, or at least to give you a general idea. Most stencils were applied to one or both sides of a tank, halftrack, etc.

It would have been nice if Archer Fine Transfers has provided a printed sheet for the various stencils so modelers could determine whether a generic stencil will work for their build, but a little detective work with a magnifier should do the trick.

conclusion

I can't imagine a D-Day build without stencils, so these are a "must" for all Allied D-Day modelers.

Thanks to Archer Fine Transfers for providing this review sample. Be sure to mention you saw the product reviewed here on Armorama when ordering.